Performing Arts

From classic films, to music videos, to Tik Tok, this course will explore the transformation of screendance through the 20th and 21st century. Students will examine technical and choreographic devices used in dance media, and eventually utilize these tools to produce their own mini-dance films.

This course is designed for students with little to no dance experience. Ballet for Athletes will improve your balance, coordination, flexibility, and develop your intrinsic muscles. Ballet is excellent cross training for any sport; even famous athletes such as Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky trained in ballet to help improve their performance! If you’re looking to challenge your body in a new way, this class is for you.

This course is designed for experienced dancers. The class will focus on improving musicality, working memory, artistry, strength, and range of motion. Classes will consist of ballet, modern, and jazz technique. There is no performance associated with this class.

Choreography 1 will establish a choreographic foundation for students to compose original dance work. Through discussion, guided improvisation, and individual studies, students will learn about choreographic devices and strategies for movement invention. Students will present a short work at the end of the term.

Expanding upon methodologies learned in Choreography 1, students will explore various mediums including site specific choreography, staged work, and dance film. Students will learn about choreographic documentation, sound editing, technical design, and administrative tasks as they relate to choreography and performance. Students will present a short work at the end of the term. Prerequisite: Choreography 1.

Students will apply skills learned in Choreography 1 and 2 to formally present an original group piece of choreography in Mattison Auditorium. Throughout the term, students will hold weekly rehearsals, engage in feedback sessions, costume the piece, design technical elements such as sound and lighting, and work collaboratively with their peers to create publicity materials. Prerequisite: Choreography 2.

This course offers students an exciting exploration of the rich history of Broadway musicals, from their origins to modern-day productions. Students will examine key developments in musical theatre, learning about the cultural, social, and artistic significance of this quintessentially American art form. The course will cover both classic and contemporary musicals, featuring works by renowned composers such as Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. We will explore landmark productions like Show Boat, Oklahoma!, and West Side Story that shaped the foundations of Broadway, as well as groundbreaking contemporary hits like Rent, Hamilton, and Dear Evan Hansen. Through analysis of scripts, music, and historical contexts, students will gain insight into how Broadway has evolved in response to changing times and societal issues. A field trip to a current Broadway production will be offered as part of the course.

Experience the excitement of seeing your written work come to life! Students in this class will write short original plays after spending the first portion of the term studying selected great plays and following a development process created by one of America’s most produced writers. Students will build their work in class through weekly presentations of their newest scenes and will revise their plays based on both peer and instructor criticism. All students will seek to finish the semester with polished, dramatically sound works. We will end the term with in-class readings of the completed plays. This course will fulfill the English Department elective requirement or the Performing Arts Department elective requirement (but not both.)

The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the fundamental elements and principles of technical theatre through hands-on learning that makes use of the production facilities, operations, methods, and technologies used in Mattison Auditorium, and to relate these practices to those used in professional, amateur, and educational theaters. Students will learn the functions of the creative team, production staff, technicians, and stage crew. Basic elements of scenic construction, design concepts, theatrical lighting, sound technologies, stage management, costume design, and theatrical makeup will be introduced and assessed through practical application. Contributions to student productions are required for this course. You do not have to have Stage Crew as your afternoon activity.

Are you intimidated by Shakespeare? Do you love Star Wars? Do you love Tina Fey’s movie Mean Girls? If you answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, this just might be the course for you. Ian Doescher has adapted all of the Star Wars movies into Shakespeare-style plays, and these works are a great way to familiarize yourself with Shakespearean language and plot structure. Doescher also wrote Much Ado About Mean Girls, in which he shows that his classical comedic abilities are just as strong as his Elizabethan dramatic skills. In the course we’ll read William Shakespeare’s Star Wars by Doescher (a.k.a. Verily, a New Hope,) and Doescher’s Much Ado About Mean Girls. Perhaps we’ll even look at some “real” Shakespeare as well, once we have figured out how the language works!

This course is designed to introduce students to the specialized techniques and skills required for acting on camera. Through hands-on practice and critical analysis, students will explore the differences between stage and screen acting, with a focus on naturalistic performance, subtlety, and the technical demands of film and television work. Students will work on-camera in a variety of scenes, including monologues, dialogue, and ensemble work, developing an understanding of shot composition, continuity, and how to adjust performances for different camera angles and framing. By the end of the course, students will have a portfolio of recorded performances, along with a deeper understanding of the acting techniques necessary for successful on-screen work.

The history and evolution of rock music will be examined through analysis, cultural and historical alignment, listening, and its impact on society. The rock era will be divided into various periods and discussions of various influential musical artists and their work will be examined.

"Mastering Music Composition and Songwriting" is a term course designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of music composition principles and techniques. From melody and harmony to form and orchestration, this course covers the essential elements of composition while guiding students through practical exercises to apply their newfound knowledge. Through a combination of lectures, listening sessions, and hands-on composition assignments, students will develop the skills and confidence to create their own original compositions across a variety of musical genres.

Foundational music concepts are studied and applied as students gain a greater understanding of a variety of genres and compositions through active listening. Connections are explored between genres, historical eras, and current music. Engaging, creative activities foster the appreciation of music as an expressive art form.

Music Industry Studies is a term course giving students an overview of the music and entertainment industry. From contract law and copyright to distribution, this course will go over the history and evolution of the music business industry. Through lectures, case studies, and activities, students should finish the course with the ability to navigate the ever-changing music industry to release their own recordings and compositions.

This course is an examination of the equipment and techniques used in live sound and studio recording applications Topics include acoustics, microphones, mixers, effects, sound production and reinforcement, and ethical and legal issues. This course can apply toward the fulfillment of the Pre-Engineering Certificate.

This course serves as an introduction to the equipment and methods used in software-based music composition, arranging, and multi-track recording. Students will create original musical projects. Topics include electronic composition, sound production techniques, digital audio workstations, and MIDI. This course can apply toward the fulfillment of the Pre-Engineering Certificate. No prerequisite is required, however, Music Technology I or a music background is suggested.

This course is a continuation of Music Technology 2 including advanced recording and post-production techniques. In addition, music promotion and marketing methods will be examined. Topics include advanced studio production techniques, film scoring, mastering and post-production, and promotion and marketing. This course can apply toward the fulfillment of the Pre-Engineering Certificate. Prerequisite: Music Technology 2.

Students learn the elemental concepts of music theory, including basic notation, intervals, scale structures, key signatures, triads, basic chord progressions, and the first stage of melodic & harmonic analysis. Music theory skills (sight-singing, dictation & ear training) and composition basics are an integral part of this course.

Melodic & harmonic analysis continues with the introduction of more intermediate concepts such as secondary triads. Students arrange music for small ensembles, gain knowledge about orchestral instruments, and begin full score reading & conducting. Music theory skills continue. Prerequisite: Music Theory 1.

In this continuation of Music Theory 2, students are introduced to chromatic harmony, functional seventh chords, key modulation, and analysis of small forms. Music theory skills are further developed. Student compositions are performed at the conclusion of the term. Prerequisite: Music Theory 2.

The origins and development of jazz as a musical genre will be examined. From its African-influenced roots to its modern-day amalgamation of styles, jazz as a means of musical expression will be researched and analyzed. Students will be exposed to the experience of listening to jazz in its various historical adaptations.

"Sounds of Modernity" is a dynamic term course that delves into the diverse and revolutionary landscape of 20th-century music. From the avant-garde experiments of the early 1900s to the eclectic sounds of contemporary music, this course explores the evolution of musical styles, techniques, and movements that defined the 20th century. Through lectures, listening sessions, and critical analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and technological forces that shaped modern music, while exploring key works and composers across various genres and movements.

The origins, evolution, and influence of the blues as a musical art form through its impact on American culture and society will be explored. The course will be based on lectures, listening examples, lyric readings and analysis, and associated references.

The Concert Band, Concert Choir, and Orchestra are graded credit-earning ensembles through the Kent School Center for Music Studies.. Three terms of dedicated involvement in any of these ensembles satisfy the music requirement for graduation. The Concert Band is comprised of students, faculty, and some community members. The Concert Band studies classic, modern, and “pop” literature and performs throughout the year. The Orchestra studies classical, modern, “pops,” and global literature, and performs throughout the year. The Concert Choir is a large, mixed choral ensemble open to all students. This larger choir gives newer singers a wonderful opportunity to learn about quality choral singing techniques;ore seasoned singers will enjoy singing with a larger group, and the extensive, challenging, and fun repertoire is available for this size ensemble. Additional ensembles include Jazz Band, Developing String Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Kentones & Kentettes Vocal Ensembles, Amaryllis Vocal Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, and Brass Ensemble.